A Look Back on 2011

The year 2011 has been one that has came with many ups and downs, highs and lows and going forward and backwards. Osama bin Laden was killed, Steve Jobs died and the world was predicted to end, twice! It has surely been an eventful year.

On January 26, 2011, my eldest brother Darnell passed away. He was born with cerebral palsy, which is a disorder that causes physical disability and hinders development, particularly in movement. This had to be one of the hardest things I’ve dealt with ever. Although he had this disability, he never once complained or let it get in the way of his happiness. My brother was a happy person. Every Sunday evening we’d watch “Desperate Housewives” together and critique and have fun with the show. We’d sometimes watch games together, I regularly fed him, since he was unable to feed himself, among other things. And every now and then, we argued about who would watch TV when I fed him (He won this battle almost every time).

Words cannot express how much I miss my brother. He meant everything to me. He was an inspiration to me. He showed me that in spite of whatever ailment you may have, you can still have joy, happiness, peace of mind and enjoy life. He never let cerebral palsy define him. I am grateful to God for allowing my brother to live 28 years, when the doctors told him he wouldn’t live past the age 5. I am grateful to God for giving me a brother like him.

Although 2011 started off rough for me, I have nothing to complain about. I’ve been very blessed this year. I was very fortunate to spend the summer at the McGaw YMCA Camp Echo as a counselor, where I got to reconnect with old friends and classmates and meet new ones from around the globe. Camp Echo is truly a great place filled with great staff and campers. I’m eagerly looking forward to another fantastic summer in 2012.

All in all, I’m grate and praise God for allowing me to live 20 wonderful years. I couldn’t have made it without him. I am looking forward to 2012 and all it will bring.

Happy New Year’s to all and I hope and pray that 2012 brings you happiness, joy and peace of mind.